June 3, 2020
Speaking Out: Sacramentality needs to return
On May 14, Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled the first phase of the province’s cautious re-opening strategy. Approved businesses received the green light to resume operations if in compliance with the safety protocols advised by public health.
Published in YSN: Speaking Out
May 24, 2019
Men of faith ... and signs of hope
It’s easy for a vocations director in North America to get discouraged.
Vocations to the priesthood have been in decline everywhere in the world except Africa since 2012.
Published in Hamilton
February 28, 2019
Speaking Out: The beauty of Adoration
I remember my first experience of Adoration very vividly.
Published in YSN: Speaking Out
February 14, 2019
Hearts, not just books, need to change to improve liturgy, Pope says
VATICAN – The sacred liturgy is meant to help the people of God conform their heart, mind and actions more closely to Christ, Pope Francis said.
Published in Faith
January 14, 2019
Faith is a gift passed on at home, Pope tells parents at baptism
VATICAN – Faith isn't something learned just by studying the catechism but rather is a gift passed on to children by the example of their parents, Pope Francis said.
Published in Reflections
VATICAN – Even in societies increasingly marked by divisions and prejudice, Catholics gather every Sunday "in the Lord's name and acknowledge that they are brothers and sisters," Pope Francis said.
Published in Faith
November 9, 2018
Sacraments are gifts, not for sale, Pope says at Mass
VATICAN – The sacraments are gifts from God that are given freely and are not a way for the church to fill up its coffers to cover expenses, Pope Francis said.
Published in Reflections
VATICAN – Every heart longs for unconditional love and fidelity, Pope Francis said.
Published in Faith
SYDNEY, Australia – Australia's Catholic bishops and religious orders, responding to recommendations from the Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, accepted 98 percent of its suggestions, but said they could not accept recommendations that would violate the seal of confession.
Published in International
NEW DELHI – India's Catholic Church has led a chorus of protest over a demand to ban the sacrament of reconciliation from the chairwoman of the National Commission for Women.
Published in International
PADERBORN, Germany – According to a regional newspaper report, Archbishop Hans-Josef Becker of Paderborn has decided to allow Protestant spouses of Catholics living in his diocese to receive holy Communion "in individual cases."
Published in International
DUBLIN, Ireland – Former Irish President Mary McAleese has said that the baptism of infants is a form of coercion, calling on the Catholic Church to change its practice.
Published in International
BALTIMORE, Md. – The Archdiocese of Baltimore has announced a policy to allow weddings to be held outside of parish churches, including at outdoor venues.
Published in International
June 7, 2018
Ebola outbreak suspends church sacraments in Congo
OXFORD, England – The Catholic Church in Congo said emergency measures will remain indefinitely in place in parishes at risk of Ebola, and urged effective action against the disease by the government of President Joseph Kabila.
Published in International
VATICAN – Everyone who has received the sacrament of confirmation has received the gift of the Holy Spirit, who guides them and gives them the strength to follow God's will, Pope Francis said.
Published in International